Pair of Vases
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
White porcelain with decoration in blue under the glaze, enamel, iron red and gold
Dimensions
Overall (a): H. 13 in. (33 cm); Diam. 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm) Overall (b): H. 13 1/16 in. (33.2 cm); Diam. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo (1615–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Margarette A. Jones, 1906
Accession Number
07.233.26a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
These elegant pair of vases, crafted in 19th-century Japan during the late Edo (1615–1868) or early Meiji (8–1912) period, exemplify the exquisite porcelain traditions of the time. Standing about 13 inches tall with gently flared mouths, they feature a pristine white body adorned with vibrant motifs of birds amid blooming flowers and lush leaves. The decorations, rendered in blue under the glaze for enduring brilliance, are enriched with overglaze enamels, iron red, gold, creating a luxurious polychrome effect that catches the light beautifully. Japanese porcelain makers, particularly from ki...